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How to Safely Transfer Funds to Bermuda with a Great Rate

6 December 2017

If you need to send a fast and affordable money transfer from Australia to Bermuda, here’s how to find the best possible deal.

The tiny British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, located in the North Atlantic, boasts a subtropical climate and beautiful beaches that make it a hotspot for tourists. If you want to send money to Bermuda from Australia, there are several ways you can do so.

From banks to specialist money transfer providers, it’s important that you compare the cost involved in sending funds overseas before you commit to a particular transfer option. Exchange rates and fees vary widely from one transfer company to the next, so you need to hunt around for the best possible deal.

The ‘Rate’ and ‘Amount Received’ displayed are indicative rates that have been supplied by each brand or gathered by Finder.

Exchange rates are volatile and change often. As a result, the exchange rate listed on Finder may vary to the actual exchange rate quoted for the brand. Please confirm the actual exchange rate and mention “Finder” before you commit to a brand.

Save money on your personal or business international money transfer today. Fill in the form and you’ll be contacted by a foreign exchange expert to have an obligation-free discussion about your options. Our foreign exchange experts offer a best rate guarantee, are ASIC authorised and never charge transfer fees.

They can help you with all your needs including:

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Banks versus money transfer companies

Instead of shopping around for a more affordable deal, many people simply send money overseas via their bank - which is a big mistake. Banks offer some of the lowest exchange rates around on the international money transfer market, while they also regularly charge high fees on each transaction.

If you want to find a more cost-effective way to send a transfer, consider the services offered by dedicated online money transfer companies. Specialising in handling international transfers from Australia to countries around the world, these companies offer far better exchange rates and more reasonable fees than the banks. In addition to saving you money, they also offer the convenience of fast and secure online transactions.

Case Study: Bill Sends Money to Bermuda

Bill is spending 18 months working in Australia and saving money for his family back home in Bermuda. But when he gets word from his sister that she has fallen behind on her rent and she needs money ASAP, Bill plans to send an emergency transfer of funds. Rather than sending money via his bank and accepting their low exchange rate and slow processing time, he compares the services of two money transfer companies that offer a cash pickup option. Rather than sending Bermudian Dollars, Bill decides to send US Dollars to his sister

Money transfer company 1

Money transfer company 2

Exchange rate

1 AUD = 0.6742 USD

1 AUD = 0.681619 USD

Fee

$70

$60

Transfer method

Online transfer paid via credit or debit card

In-branch transfer using cash or credit card

Transfer time

10 minutes

10 minutes

Amount received (in USD)

$674.25

$681.62

As you can see, Bill can send an extra USD $7 by using the second transfer company and also save AUD $10 in transfer fees.

How do I compare transfer companies when transferring and receiving money via Bermuda?

Exchange rates. Look for a provider that regularly offers better exchange rates than its competitors, but watch out for providers who suck you in with great rates but then slug you with high transaction fees.

Transfer fees. You’ll generally need to pay a transfer fee each time you send money overseas, so compare the fees and charges each company imposes per transaction. Some providers will even offer a fee-free threshold, which means you won’t have to pay any fee if you transfer more than a specified amount.

Transfer methods. Some companies only offer online transfers while others will require you to visit a branch. Telephone transfers and mobile app transactions are also available.

Options available. Forward contracts and limit orders are options offered by some providers to help you get a good exchange rate for your transaction. Some companies also offer the convenience of scheduling regular transfers in advance.

Turnaround time. Some companies can get your funds to your beneficiary in around 10 minutes, while others will take several business days to process transfers.

Minimum transfer amounts. If a company imposes a minimum limit of $500 on each transfer, will this be suitable for your needs?

Pickup options. How will your beneficiary receive the funds: will they be deposited into his or her bank account or made available for collection from a cash pickup point?

Customer service. Finally, make sure that the company you choose to handle your transaction has an excellent reputation for customer service. If you ever need a question answered, knowing that the help you need will be instantly available offers peace of mind.

How do I send money to Bermuda from Australia?

Specialist transfer companies. There are some specialist online money transfer companies that offer quick and easy transfers to Bermuda, but most will only allow you to send US Dollars rather than Bermudian Dollars.

Cash pickup transfer companies. Western Union and MoneyGram are two companies that offer this service.

Bank transfers. Speak to your bank about the possibility of sending an international transfer from your Australian account to an account with a bank in Bermuda.

Interbank transfers. If you have an account with an international bank that also has branches in Bermuda, for example HSBC, you can often send fast and affordable transfers from Australia to an account in Bermuda with the same bank.

International cheques. A slower and often more expensive option is to post an international guaranteed cheque to your recipient in Bermuda.

International cheques. International guaranteed cheques are a secure transfer method but can be slow and expensive.

Emergency cash transfers in Bermuda

If you ever need to send an emergency cash transfer to Bermuda, watch out for any extra costs associated with the transaction. Urgent transfers regularly attract worse exchange rates and higher fees than ordinary transactions, so double check the full cost of your transfer before deciding on which provider you use. Taking a few extra moments to read the fine print can save you a whole lot of money.

Western Union and MoneyGram offer extensive worldwide transfer networks and both operate locations in Bermuda. You’ll see a list of some popular cash pickup locations in Bermuda below, but phone ahead to confirm locations and opening times before you visit. Photo ID and a transaction reference number will also be required when picking up funds.

St George’s

Tips for picking up cash in Bermuda

If you’re picking up cash in Bermuda following a money transfer, make sure to exercise a few simple precautions to ensure the safety of yourself and your money. Avoid visiting any unsafe or high-crime areas and don’t carry large sums of money around in public. Keep your money hidden at all times and if possible, have a friend accompany you when you go to pick up the funds and provide an extra deterrent against thieves.

What are the steps to send money to Bermuda?

Although transfer processes differ between providers, you will generally need to do the following in order to send a transfer:

Sign up for an account. Many providers offer a quick, free and simple online signup process. You will usually need to provide your name, contact details and bank account information.

Enter transaction details. The next step is to provide information about how much money you’re sending, in which currency, and where you are transferring the funds to. You’ll also need to provide your recipient’s name and contact details.

Finalise your transfer. You can then submit and pay for your transaction, and make sure you keep your receipt or reference number so you can monitor the progress of your transaction.

International Money Transfer Offers

TorFX guarantee to beat any competitor's exchange rate for a transaction. Conditions apply.
Send money overseas in 45 currencies. Once registered, you'll be assigned an Account Manager who can provide support and guidance.

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